Traveling Disers are lost and adrift somewhere?

[edcrbnsoul]

We sailed the ship up to the other side of Ireland to county Fermanagh

The most remarkable natural feature of County Fermanagh is the River Erne, which winds through the centre of the county. It expands into two extensive lakes. Upper and Lower Lough Erne, both to which have many islands. Navigable by cruiser boat, via lake and canal, this beautiful lake is connected to the uppermost reaches of the Shannon, creating over 200 miles of linked waterways for pleasure cruising and fishing. Some level land borders the river and lakes, but the rest of the county is hilly - rising to 2,188 feet in Cuilcagh Mountain on the County Cavan border. In the north-west Fermanagh touches the shore of Lough Melvin, and set among hills on the western border are Upper and Lower Lough Macnean.

The limestone hills of west Fermanagh contain many interesting cave systems, and with the exception of County Clare is the most notable area in Ireland for the speleologist. This is a county with many attractions for the visitor; boating and fishing on the 'lakeland of Ulster', climbing, interesting monuments, and throughout the county the charm of good scenery and pleasant towns and villages.

Though Enniskillen is the county's capital, Belleek, a tiny village on the western border is more famous because it is the home of the regions beautiful translucent Parian china, prized by collectors.

 

[castlegazer]

I secured weekend lodging for us.

BELLE ISLE CASTLE
Country House Accommodation in Enniskillen.

Belle Isle Castle offers guests luxurious Country House Accommodation on one of the eleven islands that are owned by the Estate on Upper Lough Erne. A bridge connects the island to the mainland. There are 470 acres in this magical Estate which includes a 90 cow dairy herd. The original Castle was built in 1680 and further extended in 1850. It has had three owners during its noted history which includes the present owner, the Duke of Abercorn.

The Castle has been kept in its original layout so that guests will enjoy the romance of a bygone era. Expect authentic Country House atmosphere and accommodation without the frills of modern restorations. Antique furniture and paintings by Victorian masters are all offset beautifully by the dramatic colour scheme created by esteemed international interior designer, David Hicks. The collection also includes some striking Russian paintings from St. Petersburg.

On arrival, guests will be welcomed by Charles and Fiona Plunket whose objective is to make all their visitors welcome and ensure that their stay will be a memorable one. Northern Ireland is noted for its fine food and Belle Isle's cuisine lives up to this reputation.

On the estate there is a tennis court, croquet lawn and boats for hire. A wooden cruiser is also available for parties up to 14 to tour the Lough. The region has an abundance of National Trust properties, such as Florence Court, Castle Coole and the Crom Estate. Amongst the many amenities to be enjoyed in the area are; three excellent golf courses within half an hour's drive and superb game fishing on Lough Melvin and the river Mourne.

Enniskillen Castle

 

[castlegazer]

Enniskillen is the County Town of Fermanagh, located almost exactly in the Centre of the County on the natural island which separates the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne. The town is home to a population of approximately 11,500, by far the largest settlement in the County. As one would expect, the town is a retail centre for the County, and beyond, but it has yet to succumb to the blandness which infects many modern towns.


The town centre is firmly built along the long, narrow Main St, which actually changes name six times along its length! This gives the town a real sense of bustle and life as well as imbuing the shops with their own unique character. There is no new, anonymous, development to be found on the Main Street and the established High Street Stores sit comfortably beside small independent traders, creating a special atmosphere for the place. A feature of Enniskillen which is becoming increasingly unusual is the number of small bars and hostelries which appear on the Main Street, providing welcome relief from the shops!

At the centre of the town is the Town Hall, which was completed as recently as 1901. The Clock Tower here is six stories high and can be seen from everywhere, complete with its statues marking the proud military heritage of the Town. The Bandstand outside the Town Hall is used regularly through the Summer and works well to add to the impression that this is a very warm and unusual retail centre.


At the west end of the Main Street can be found the town’s two main Churches. St. MacCartan’s Church Of Ireland Cathedral dates from 1842. Inside, General Lowry Cole, who also overlooks the town from his Column in the Town Park, is commemorated. The Cathedral is noted for its Bells, with one in particular being cast from a cannon used in the Battle of the Boyne. St Michael’s RC Church is opposite St. MacCartan’s, on the other side of the Main Street, and dates from 1875. The building has a steep roof and is actually best viewed from the rear. Inside a window portrays St Molaise, founder of the Devenish Monastery.


One of the key images that a visitor to Enniskillen may take home with them is the proximity of the Lough’s to the town. Moorings just outside the town centre certainly ease the pressure for parking spaces and add a continental feel to the town.


These moorings are also close to Enniskillen’s new shopping centre. Erneside is a recent retail development taking some shopping slightly out of town into a purpose built environment

Further down the Lough is the Ardhowen Theatre, Fermanagh’s own cultural entertainment centre, which boasts a full and varied programme of entertainment.

Enniskillen's Main Street

 

[castlegazer]

This weekend we can tour many of the attractions of Fermanagh Co.

Marble Arch Caves
Overview

Marble Arch Caves are one of Europe’s finest showcaves allowing visitors to explore a fascinating, natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, winding passages and lofty chambers.

Lively and informative guides conduct tours past a bewildering variety of cave formations – stalactites glisten above stream ways and chambers while fragile mineral veils and cascades of creamy calcite coat walls and spread as shimmering terraces across rock strewn floors.


And for Ed's love of the outdoors and birdwatching:
Fermanagh is a county of open horizons and opportunity for all those who love the outdoor life. The landscape is an intricate patchwork quilt of woodland, forest, parkland and wetland. Here the glorious views and stunning panoramas of the natural environment are guaranteed to entice you into the fresh, cleansing country air.

 

[castlegazer]

And of course for all you who like this stuff, a tour of Belleek's factory.


In the main reception area a large bell hangs graciously on the wall; a bell that is well over 100 years old and was first used in the Pottery to call the Pottery staff back to work after tea and dinner breaks. The bell is used to this day but now to call together groups of our guests to join us on a magical trip to unravel the manufacturing process of our products.

The guided tour takes approximately 30 minutes and covers all of the production areas thereby offering our guests the possibility of meeting with and chatting with our craftspeople; something that we encourage.

Because the tour route was designed into the new refurbishment programme of the Pottery over the last seven years all of the viewing areas are on level ground and, therefore, provide easy access for all (in the unlikely event of someone being tired wheelchairs are provided). Unlike many other Potteries we have chosen to provide a personal guide for all groups.

Mould Making

The tour begins by one of our guides welcoming our guests to Belleek and explaining a little about what they are about to experience. The first area is mould making. In this situation a master case is used to make working moulds. These working moulds are made of plaster of paris (which is very absorbent) and from which the shape is produced.

[img]http://www.belleek.ie/images/mould.jpg

Casting Department

Following on from the mould making area you will be brought into the casting department. Here you will see how liquid slip is poured into the plaster of paris moulds and allowed to sit for two or three minutes before being emptied out. (Slip is a liquid form of the clay used in making a typical piece; it is made by mixing three different types of clay with water. All of the clays and the water are mixed in a large tank for up to three hours to ensure consistency) When the excess slip is poured out the "skin" left on the inside will become the Belleek product. The mould is later opened and the shape removed for drying before final fettling and firing.

Basket Making / Floral Department

Our next stop will be in the floral and basket making department for which Belleek is world famous. Here we look on in awe as our craftspeople weave the intricate strands for the baskets and painstakingly create beautiful flowers; leaf by leaf, stem by stem and petal by petal. Every piece produced in this area is truly original and no two pieces are the exact same.

Kiln Firing Area

From the floral department our guided journey then brings us to the kiln firing area - if you can stand the heat! The firing temperatures of the equipment in this area will reach in excess of 1190 degrees centigrade. The clay products are fired for up to twelve hours at these temperatures during which time the clay cures and becomes vitreous.

Once fired the china undergoes not one but two rigorous quality checks before going to be dipped in liquid glaze. This fires out in glost kilns at 1000 degrees centigrade for 10 hours and leaves a glassy transparent covering. Then comes the final and what many would see as the most intrinsic stage in the production process, the decoration.

Decorating Area

On leaving the kilns area our groups will be greeted by the fresh essence of the many paints and fat oils that are used each day in the adornment of many of the Belleek products. The varied shades of pastel colours are visible on the workbenches of the decoration staff as they apply colour with every careful brushstroke - you never know, you might even be asked to paint a little yourself!

And of course finally after having been decorated the china undergoes its third and final firing; the enamel firing, this time at 700 degrees centigrade for approximately seven hours. It will then receive a final quality inspection and packed into gift boxes in the warehouse.

A must see for all our guests is a visit to the Belleek Showroom. Often described by our visitors as an "Aladdin's cave" it includes the complete range of Belleek products as well as a select range of items from our other companies within the Belleek Group - Aynsley China, Galway Crystal and Donegal China.

A favourite spot within the showroom is our COLLECTORS CORNER which features many favourite items which have been discontinued over the years and are now becoming very collectable.

And, as an extra special treat, make sure you ask to see our range of unique items. Because we have our showroom on the same site as the pottery itself we have designed and made a small select range of unique products which are not available for purchase anywhere other than in the Belleek showroom. So, after your tour and a visit to the tearoom, take time out to explore the many and varied designs and colours we have to offer. You will find many items suitable for gift giving or indeed for yourself!

 

[edcrbnsoul]

And for Ed's love of the outdoors and birdwatching:
Fermanagh is a county of open horizons and opportunity for all those who love the outdoor life. The landscape is an intricate patchwork quilt of woodland, forest, parkland and wetland. Here the glorious views and stunning panoramas of the natural environment are guaranteed to entice you into the fresh, cleansing country air. [/B]

My geeky habits are supposed to our secret... you, me and 65,000 other disers!

 

[IASW Rider]

(MESSAGE ARRIVING VIA AIR MAIL FROM CENTRAL FLORIDA):

Hi Traveling DIS'ers!

Hope that you're all enjoying the European "leg" of your journey! It sounds like you're doing a lot of wonderful things!

Just wanted to thank you all, on behalf of the residents of the EWP Suite, for the beautiful flowers and kind thoughts! We loved having you, when you stopped at WDW, and hope to see you again when your travels bring you back our way!

We'll stop in periodically to see what you're all up to! In the mean time, have a wonderful time and thanks for thinking of us!

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Alright travelers guess where we are today?

Thats right Norway! I figured we were up in this area anyway.

Wild, beautiful landscapes. Bustling, cosmopolitan cities. Unique and intimate attractions. Norway is a tapestry of once-in-a-lifetime travel adventures. Discover Norway - one of the world's hidden treasures.


Norway is scenery so stunning it's hard to grasp. with magnificent fjords, spectacular mountains and waterfalls, and air so clean that your lungs seem power-driven. For lovers of the outdoors, the fishing, hiking, glacier-walking, biking, horseback riding and skiing (winter and summer) are incomparable. For the less active, simply cruising the fjords or along our varied and dramatic coastline is pleasure enough.

Norway is also cosmopolitan and modern cities, filled with a variety of restaurants, great shopping, museums, art galleries, and international festivals of all kinds. The friendly people that you'll meet both in the cities as well in the smaller villages, all speak English and loves to welcome foreign visitors.

 

[deadheadbelle]

Yipee! Never been to Norway. The pictures are breathtaking. Looks like a great place to be.

 

[goofy4tink]

Good choice in destinations Capt. Ed. I'm gonna love seeing Norway!

 

[edcrbnsoul]

When I find a place to dock here in Bergen we will do some touring I'm am dying to go Kayaking.


This is Bergen

 

[castlegazer]

C'mon - I'm waiting for you all already!

Ed, I have a Kayak all waiting for you:

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Well stop swimming around and lets go!

 

[castlegazer]

Oh, and for all you foodies, don't worry, we had a huge breakfast in Bergen:

Norway's second largest city is situated on a mountain-studded peninsula which juts out into a spectacular fjord. The city has a strong history as a maritime port and was Norway's capital in the 12th and 13th centuries. Bergen's narrow cobblestone streets and small wooden houses give the city a unique ambience while many travellers make the trip here to take advantage of the scenic rail journey from Oslo.

Bergen's sights include the bustling fish market, the aquarium and of course, the wilderness at the city's doorstep.

View of Bergen from the Funicular to Mount Fløien

The Norwegians were very excited for us to arrive and set up this wonderful welcome breakfast for us:

Ooo, there goes ED - OK, we're off!

 

[deadheadbelle]

I wondered why I was feeling so full this morning. mmmm, good breakfast.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

wow there is some beautiful country out here

 

[castlegazer]

Since my mind is never far from food, regardless of paddling my heart out to keep up with Ed, here is some gastronomic information about Norway:

Norwegian temptations
By Majorie Chiew
Pictures by Andrew Chong

OVER the last 20 years, Norwegian cuisine has gone more international. Its food is much like other European cuisine except that the Norwegians emphasise using their own produce and ingredients.

In this Land of the Midnight Sun, fruits — especially berries — are tasty and sweet despite the short three months of summer.

"That's because the berries have longer hours of sunlight. The sun rises as early as 2am to 3am and doesn't go down until 11pm," said visiting Norwegian chef Kirsti Hem Tingulstad who was here recently on a Norwegian food promotion at Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur.

Meat like ox, elk, lamb and reindeer are eaten. But Tingulstad likes to think that "Norwegian lamb is the best in the world because the animals spend summer in the mountains eating wild herbs and salty grass."

Tingulstad, a Home Economics teacher, caters food occasionally and helps her country to promote Norwegian food.

"The Norwegian table — or cold table — is traditional and features simple, raw food. Fish, including salmon, is an important item. We also export Norwegian salmon to Malaysia," she said.

"For the cold buffet table, there are also salads and sliced meat. Cheeses and fruits are also mandatory. Desserts comprise mostly cream cakes and berries."

The Norwegians are great bread eaters — having them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, even supper.

Very few herbs and spices are used in the Norwegian kitchen. Salt is the most important seasoning. It is traditionally used as a preservative.

In autumn, the traditional farm dish of Lamb and Cabbage Stew is popular. Slices of lamb and wedges of cabbage are layered in a pot and flavoured with salt and peppercorns.

The Norwegians like to have this stew with the dessert, Veiled Country Lass — a rich layered dessert comprising apple sauce, caramelised breadcrumbs and topped with whipped cream.

veiled country las

almond ring cake
Generally, cakes and desserts are said to be less sweet than those of other European kitchens.

 

[castlegazer]

Views of the Songnefjord, Norway's longest and deepest fjord are visible during our kayaking tour:

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Ahh peace and quiet of norway at night

 

[deadheadbelle]

Originally posted by edcrbnsoul
Ahh peace and quiet of norway at night

Wow!! What an amazing picture. Thanks! I think I'll go to sleep now.

See you guys in the morning. Can't wait to meet you all for breakfast.